Notices
987 Forum Discussion about the Cayman/Boxster variants (2004-2012)
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Holy crap! Is this normal for an oil change?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-27-2016, 09:21 PM
  #61  
jeanrabelais
Rennlist Member
 
jeanrabelais's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Laguna Beach, California
Posts: 1,645
Received 163 Likes on 94 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Suicide Jockey
I was actually told the same thing when I recently took my car into the dealer for a change at 1,000 miles. I asked my Porsche service advisor what his opinion was of "preventative" oil changes way before the manufacturer's recommendation and he said, personally, he wouldn't do it because Porsche uses a special break-in oil that should be left in throughout break-in. It was the first I had ever heard this, although I know of other manufacturers, Honda in particular, doing so:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...pics/2820526/1

I still went ahead with my oil change and haven't had a chance yet to do some additional digging into the matter. If true, it calls into question the merits of doing an early change unless the replacement oil used is the special break-in oil.

That's always been my understanding, so that's why I was taken aback by what my service advisor said. Those guys certainly aren't in the business of trying to talk you out of getting service work performed! I'd hate to think he's misinformed since I've been using him since 2005. If he's out to lunch on something as basic as this, it causes me to question what other erroneous service advice I've been given over the past 11 years

Would be curious to know what others have been advised.
We're in the same boat, don't know what to believe. Wouldn't it be in the owners manual? I automatically don't trust dealers unless they are corporate owned. Really bugs me when things aren't clear. Why would someone make this stuff up? Also even if they did add "special" oil this doesn't take into account how the car is driven. I drove 3600 miles in three days and YES it was time for an oil change IMHO. I tried to do it at 1000 miles but was turned away -- two dealerships in the town I was in didn't have any openings and this was with 48 hours notice.
Old 05-27-2016, 09:33 PM
  #62  
LexVan
Banned
 
LexVan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chicagoland Area
Posts: 26,141
Likes: 0
Received 5,413 Likes on 2,516 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by jeanrabelais
We're in the same boat, don't know what to believe. Wouldn't it be in the owners manual? I automatically don't trust dealers unless they are corporate owned. Really bugs me when things aren't clear. Why would someone make this stuff up? Also even if they did add "special" oil this doesn't take into account how the car is driven. I drove 3600 miles in three days and YES it was time for an oil change IMHO. I tried to do it at 1000 miles but was turned away -- two dealerships in the town I was in didn't have any openings and this was with 48 hours notice.
Like I said. Your car is filled with Mobil 0W40 from the factory. Not a break in oil. Look at the sticker in your engine bay. I've seen hundreds of UOAs of the factory (it's M1 0W40) fill. I've been in Tech Sessions with Mobil employees.
Old 05-27-2016, 09:35 PM
  #63  
jeanrabelais
Rennlist Member
 
jeanrabelais's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Laguna Beach, California
Posts: 1,645
Received 163 Likes on 94 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by LexVan
Like I said. Your car is filled with Mobil 0W40 from the factory. Not a break in oil. Look at the sticker in your engine bay. I've seen hundreds of UOAs of the factory (it's M1 0W40) fill. I've been in Tech Sessions with Mobil employees.
Oh I believe you! It's the conflicting information from the dealerships that I don't know about... Three dealerships I've dealt with in regard to an oil change so far and two different answers on this issue. Which is why I brought it to the forum and I appreciate your quick response. BUT WHY Would someone make this up? What's the end game?

Also, why don't we have any oil stick? Looking at the oil was always a way to gage the condition of the oil for me. Did anyone send their oil in for analysis?

Last edited by jeanrabelais; 05-28-2016 at 01:07 PM.
Old 05-28-2016, 08:08 PM
  #64  
DBH
Three Wheelin'
 
DBH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,893
Received 472 Likes on 320 Posts
Default

Way back in the days of old, when manufacturing tolerances were not as precise as they are now, it was normal for manufactures to put in a break-in oil. This went with the admonition that it was to be changed to "regular" oil after 1.5 t0 2k miles. These were mineral oils btw.


The service people you spoke with were probably the "grey haired" guys that still remember this.
Old 05-30-2016, 10:48 PM
  #65  
Joegnsx
Intermediate
 
Joegnsx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 43
Received 4 Likes on 1 Post
Default

Is Durametric the only tool to reset oil use after a DIY oil change?
Old 05-31-2016, 02:35 AM
  #66  
Marine Blue
Addict
Rennlist Member
 
Marine Blue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 16,020
Received 807 Likes on 469 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Joegnsx
Is Durametric the only tool to reset oil use after a DIY oil change?
Unfortunately yes.
Old 05-31-2016, 08:49 AM
  #67  
LexVan
Banned
 
LexVan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chicagoland Area
Posts: 26,141
Likes: 0
Received 5,413 Likes on 2,516 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Joegnsx
Is Durametric the only tool to reset oil use after a DIY oil change?
The only one that's affordable for the DIY owner/enthusiast. The Porsche product is very expensive and more aligned to an Indy shop business model.
Old 05-31-2016, 02:13 PM
  #68  
JBsZ06
Advanced
 
JBsZ06's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 78
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Unbelievable.......
Old 05-31-2016, 04:32 PM
  #69  
Kevin Rohrer
Rennlist Member

 
Kevin Rohrer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Medina, Ohio
Posts: 12,458
Received 796 Likes on 524 Posts
Default

My local dealership (Beechwood, owned by Penske) charges that much. After they screwed-up my top repair I started going to North Olmsted Porsche, who is a bit less expensive and seems to know what they are doing.

Last edited by Kevin Rohrer; 06-10-2016 at 03:39 PM.
Old 06-10-2016, 03:26 PM
  #70  
LJ502
Track Day
 
LJ502's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Vero Beach, FL
Posts: 19
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Had an oil and filter change recently at my local independent service shop, German Motors, in Pacific Beach (San Diego, CA) on a 2010 Cayman. It included a check of all fluids, tire pressure, full safety inspection, resting service reminder, and a road test. Total with tax was $200.66. I like these folks.
Old 06-12-2016, 06:45 PM
  #71  
ir_fuel
Drifting
 
ir_fuel's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Belgium
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

1K oil change? That's not really necessary, unless you like throwing away money of course.

I just follow whatever is in the instruction manual of the car. Unless you start doing heaps of track days of course, that's a different story.
Old 06-13-2016, 01:30 AM
  #72  
MrMoose
Burning Brakes
 
MrMoose's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 949
Received 385 Likes on 267 Posts
Default

You guys are making me glad I change my own oil. I just did my first oil change on my newish-to-me 2010 Cayman S and I was happy to find it's one of the easier cars I've done the job on. If you pay attention and use the right tools it's a pretty tough one to screw up.

I've got Durametric but the service reset didn't do anything. The software said if it didn't work then to pull the instrument cluster fuse: that reset it. Unclear to me if you need do do the software reset first or if just pulling the fuse would've done it on its own.

If the latter than the Durametric may not be required for service reset on at least some cars. Anyone know?
Old 06-14-2016, 03:35 PM
  #73  
Dan87951
Nordschleife Master
 
Dan87951's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Lansing Michigan
Posts: 6,431
Received 33 Likes on 22 Posts
Default

I'm surprised Porsche oil changes are not more. When I had my DB9 the Aston dealer told me it was $1k for a "annual service", which is just an oil change and inspection. I thought he was joking and replied with "really what do you charge?". Apparently the joke was on me. I always change my own oil on my cars and its a good way to get to learn the machine you're driving. As a person who works behind a desk for a living its a welcome change to throw my car up on a lift and get greasy.
Old 06-14-2016, 07:56 PM
  #74  
Joegnsx
Intermediate
 
Joegnsx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 43
Received 4 Likes on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by MrMoose

I've got Durametric but the service reset didn't do anything. The software said if it didn't work then to pull the instrument cluster fuse: that reset it. Unclear to me if you need do do the software reset first or if just pulling the fuse would've done it on its own.

If the latter than the Durametric may not be required for service reset on at least some cars. Anyone know?
I'd also like to know if this is true for the GT4. We get my wife's new car tomorrow, and I plant to change the oil myself when it's due, and assumed I need to buy a Durametric--would be nice to know if all I need to do is pull a fuse!
Old 07-06-2016, 08:29 PM
  #75  
jeanrabelais
Rennlist Member
 
jeanrabelais's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Laguna Beach, California
Posts: 1,645
Received 163 Likes on 94 Posts
Default

Related Question for the group: I like to use my car to do long cross-country trips. Recently after picking up my car from the Walter's shop where its oil was changed and its tires aligned, I drove to Cottonwood Ca in 19 hours in 24 hours at high Interstate HWY speeds round trip so I could pick up my new puppy, 8 week old Turkish Shepherd, Georgia. Anyways, after such a marathon run, my ears and feet tell me that I need an oil change. Am I crazy for getting an oil change after 2000 miles? Quality vs Quantity of miles?


Quick Reply: Holy crap! Is this normal for an oil change?



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 06:42 AM.